Well-drilling equipment



1,586,923 E.. E. TOWNSEND WELL DRILLING EQUIPMENT Juhe 1 1926.

Filed Feb. 1s, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 1 n VEl!" "al I,

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June 1 1926. i 1,586,923 E. E. TOWNSEND l WELL DRILLING. EQUIPMENT FiledFebfl, 1924 V 5 sheets-set a 52 I g 3o 4/6' A T' TOPNE YS.

June 1 1926. f 1,586,923

E. E. TowNsEND Y WELL DRILLING EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 18, A1924 5sheets-sheet ATTQRNEYS June 1 1926.`

E. E. TowNsEND WELL DRILLING EQUIPMENT u' 5 SheetsShet' 4 Filed Feb. 18.1924 E EEE,

/N VENTOR. ELV/N E.'- TWNSEND. BY @MW m7,

June 1 1926.

E. E. TOWNSEND WELL DRIILING EQUIPMENT 5 ShebS-Sheet 5 Filed Feb .Ww u.w

ATTORNEYS.

Patented June l., 1926.

UNITED sTATEs ELVIN E. TOWNSEND, or Warson TI'LLE, CALIFORNIA.

4WELL-nIaILLIrTe EQUIPMENT.

Application led February This invention relates to well drillingequipment.

It is the principal objectof the present invention to provide animprovedappara- U tus capable of use in rapidly lowering drilling equipment andcasings into a well or removing such elements from a well withoutpermitting the escape of Huid from the latter, whereby to expedite welldrilling and l@ operations incident to welldrilling.

In carrying out this object I provide an apparatus including a built-uptelescoping housing which may be mounted vertically over the mouth of awell. The ends of this w housing are equipped with devices forengagging-and forming a Huid-tight connection between the housing andthe d rill pipe or other Velement projectingl upwardly through theapparatus from the well. The devices mentioned may be alternatelyoperated to raise or lower the drill pipe or casing without unsealingthe mouth of the well. The devices are also capable of use in cappingand uncapping wells.V

M One form of which-the invention may assume is exemplified inthefollowing de- .scription and illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a central vertiealsection through an apparatus embodying thepreferred form of my invention and shown as mounted upon a sealed well.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the'same.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus with parts in section showingthe same mounted in the top of the well and in use capping a well.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical view disclosing the arrangement of the fluidpressure pipes for delivering Huid pressure to the operating cylinders.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section through the upper seal. y

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the same, taken on lin'e 6 6 ofFig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section. through the upper seal showingit in`\con-` tracted position.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the lower seal with parts broken away to moreclearly disclose its construction.

- Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the same taken on line 9 9 ofFig. 8. r l Fig. 10 is au enlarged view of the end of 18, 1924. SerialNo. 693,532.

the well with an ordinary type of seal applied thereto.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of one o the clamps with parts in sectionto',y more fully disclose its construction.

,Figs 12, 13 and 14 are views in central vertical section through theapparatus disclosing the dierent positions:y and operations by which adrill pipe or casing may be removed from the well in sections without`unsealing the well.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings 10 indicatesthe upper end of a well assembled upon which'is my improved apparatus.The latter includes a base plate 11 upon which is fixed acentral 70guide cylinder 12 and a pair of operating cylinders 14. The latter arepositioned one at each side of the guide cylinder as shown in Fig. 1.The operating cylinders are each fitted with a plunger 15and a plungerrody 75 16, which are intended to be reciprocated b pressure admitted tothe ends of the cylinders. rlfhe upper ends of the plunger rods areconnected by a yoke 17. The guide cylinder is fitted with a guide sleeve18 which is journalled adjacent its upper end in the yoke 17. The lowerend of the guide sleeve is fitted with a plunger reciprocably mounted inthe guide cylinder 12. lt will be noticed in Fig. 1 thatthe upper endsof all oflthe cylinders mentioned are fittedwith packing glands.

At the upper extremity of the guide sleeve 18 I mount`an upper gatevalve 19 which in turn is connected with what lt prefer to term anupperseal 20, which is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7,inclusive. Reference being had to these figures it will be seenv thatthe upper seal comprises an outer cylindrical casing 21 which is formedat its 'ends 05' with flanges whereby it may be connected to adjacentparts of the apparatus.

Fixed at its ends' within the cylindrlcal casing 21 is a flexible sleeve22, preferably formed of rubber. The ends of thlsll sleeve are clampedinto position within the .cylmf drical casing 21 by eans of pairs ofclamping collars 24 and a clamping sleeve 25. Pivotally connected to theclamping collars 24 at each end ofthe seal is a setof 'gripping members2 6. These members are tapere andi when the iexible sleeve is contractedby means of hydraulicor pneumatic pressure they unite to form asubstantially solid coni- `cal collar around a pipe or the likeextending through the seal. The gripper members are fitted with flatsprings 27 which tend to maintain the grippers in expanded position asshown in Fig. 5. It will be seen in Fig.

' 7 that the conical gripping collars extend in opposite directions.These collars serve to grip the pipe extending through the seal and tolimit the contraction of the flexible sleeve as well as protect the endsthereof.

To contract the flexible sleeve to form a seal around a pipe extendingthrough the apparatus I lit the casing 21 with a pipe nipple 28 whichextends through the casing 21 and the clamping sleeve 25 and is incommunication with an annular groove formed in the latter. The pipenipple is connected by a pipe 29 to a source of fluid pressure.

Mounted above the seal is a clamp 30 which comprises a casing having afrustoconical bore formed at its lower end. Segmental clamping jaws 31are mounted in\ this casing for cooperation with the conical borementioned. YThese clamping jaws are fitted with operating levers 32 bywhich they may be placed into engagement with lthe conical bore andthereby contract to grip al pipe or the like extending through theapparatus. v y

A similar clamp 3()EL is located beneath the base 11, which lower 4clampcooperates with a lower seal 33. Thisseal is most clearly illustrated inFigs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. Reference being had to these figures itwill be seen that the device comprises an outer ring 34 and an innerring 35 which are rigidly connected by bolts 36. The outer ring supportsa turnable bevel gear 37 which is ,in constant mesh with pinions 3 8formed on radially disposed Shanks 40, the latter of which arejournalled in the outer rings mentioned. The outer ends/ot spindles 41are threaded through the shanks 40. The inner ends of the spindlesconnect with re'- silient segmental members 42, which are adapted tounite to form a seal about a pipe or the like led through the apparatus.The members 42 are interposed betweentop and bottom plates secured onthe linner ring and are radially slidable in guideways 43.

To rotate the bevel gear 37 I journal the shank of a bevel pinion 44 inthe outer ring 34. The'outer end of the shank of the bevel pinionmentioned is formed square so that it may be yrotated by means of asocket or ar like wrench. It is obvious thatl when the ring gear 37 isrotated the spindles carryir'lg` the segmental members 42 will beadvanced or retracted radially in unison.

Connected to the lower end of the lower 'seal 33 and in communicationtherewith is a lower 'gate valve 45. This valve is connected withthe-top of a T-fitting 46- which is directly connected to` the top ofthe well.

The horizont-al arm bf thislitting is connected to a discharge pipevthrough the medium of the control valve.

For the purpose of illustration, in Fig. 1 I have` shown' the top of.the well sealed in the usual manner. In Fig. 10 this seal is shown indetail and comprises a sleeve 47 which is placed over the well casingand connected thereto. The upper end ofthe well casing Lis slightlyenlarged and a rubber packing gasket 48 is clamped in the enlarged endaround the drill pipe. This gasket is clamped into place by a clampingnut48 which is threaded into the enlarged end of the casing.

lVhen assembling my approved apparatus upon the well for the purpose ofremoving the drill pipe the clamping nut 48a is first removed. Theapparatus is then assembled over the drill pipe and connected at itslower end to the top flange 49 of the sleeve casing 47. The apparatus isthen placed lin use, as will be described, to raise the drill pipe. Whenthe drill pipe is raised the gasket 48 will be removed with it.,

When it is desired to use the apparatus to remove the drill pipe thelower seal A33 is Aclosed around the pipe an-d pressure is exhaustedfrom the bottom of cylinders 14 'to place the guide sleeve l18 in itslowermost position.. The upper clamp 30 is then actuated to tightly gripthe drill pipe which is indicated at 50 in Fig. 1. Pressure is thenadmitted to the Aupper' seal 2O to form a fluidl l tight seal aroundthey pipe 50. The lower seal 33 is`then opened and pressure is admittedto the bottom of the cylinders Y14 to raise the guide sleeve 18 andthemechanism connected therewith. As the u per seal 20 and the clamp 30will be tight yl connected l to the drill pipe' the latter will beraised simultaneously with the guide sleeve. 'Ilhe lower clamp 30a isthen actuated to grip the pipe and the lower seal 33' is clamped to thepipe and theupper clamp and seal are reclamp and seal are mamtainedtightlyy inengagement with the drill pipe., Pressure is then admitted tothe bottom of the cylinders 14 to raise the guide sleeve 18 and itsassociating mechanism suflicientlyto place the joint just below thevalve 19. The upper seal v20 is then closed-and the guide pipe.

` sired. 5

sleeve 18 and the mechanism connected thereto are revolved to entirelyseparate the two sections of the drill. When this 4has been accomplishedthe guide sleeve is raised further to separate the sections of the drilland to permit the upper valve 19 to be closed. The upper seal 2O and theclamp 30 may then be released and the uppermost section of the drillremoved from the apparatus." A suitable tool carryinga plug at its lowerend may then be lowered into the apparatus. The clamp 30 and the seal2() are then placed in operation to grip the tool. The valve 19 is thenopened and pressure is admitted to the topof the cylinders to lower thesleeve 18 to engage the plug carried by the tool with the end of thedrill pipe. The sleeve 18 may then be revolved to thread the plug intotheend of the drill During the latter operation the lower clamp and sealare used to hold the lower part of the drill.

For supplying Huid pressure to the cylinders and to the upper seal 20 Iprovide a :Huid supply pipe 60 which may be connected with any suitablesource of fluid pressure. This pipe connects with a four-way valve y61which in turn is connected with thetop and bottom of the cylinders bypipes 62 and 63. This valve is also connected with the pipe 28 which isfitted with a telescoping joint 61. A quickly detachable union 65 isinterposed in the pipe line 28 lto permit the latter to be disconnectedwhen it is desired to rotate the sleeve 18 and its associated mechanism.i

Referring to Fig. 3, when the drill has been removed and 1t is desiredto recap the well, the lower gate valve 45 is closed and the portion otthe apparatus above the gate valve is disconnected therefrom andelevated.

Acap 58 is then placed in the valve casing lower end to the cap 58. rlheapparatus is` then reconnected to the top'of the valve 45 and the guidesleeve 18 and its associated' mechanism is raised to its uppermostposition. The u per seal and clamp are then actuated to tlghtly grip theturning tool 51. lPressure is then exhausted from the bottom of thecylinders 14 to cause the guide sleeve 18 and the upper clamp and sealto lower and thereby force the cap 58 downwardly into engagement withthe top of the well tof close the salme. A hand plate 52 may then beremoved from the T-iitting 46 to permit cap 58 to be bolted to the topof the well. 1 he apparatus may then be removed if de- While I havedescribed but two uses to which my apparatusmay be put, it is understoodthat it is capable of a wide variety of uses, including theinsertion andremoval `tothe lower housing, sai being capable of vertical reelrocation an Aof drill pipes, tools /and casings, and that by its usethese various operations may be performed without unseallng the mouth ofthe Well.

The apparatus may also be used while drilling. That is, the drill pipemay be held by the upper clamp and sealf Thus,l the sleeve 18 willrevolve with the drill and the mouth of the well will be kept closed.

While ll-have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is understoodthat various changes in its construction may be made without departingfrom the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Havin thus described my invention, what ll c aim and desire to secureby'Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a verticallytelescoping housing adapted to be mounted 'over the mouth of a well, andnormally ineil'ective packing elements at the opposite ends of saidhousing, said packing elementsbein adapted to be independently operatedan each capable of'forminga fluid tight joint around a pipe or the likeextending into said housing to prevent the passage of Huid throu h thehousing.

2. apparatus of the character de scribed comprising a verticallytelescoping housing adaptedv toY be mounted over the mouth` of a well,normally inedective means adapted to be independently operated andcapable oit connecting an element extending into said housing to saidhousing, d' non. mally inedective 'packing elements at the opposite endsof' said housing, said packing elements being adapted to beindependently operated, and each capable oit forming "a fluid tightjoint aroundva pipe or 'the like extending into said housin to preventthev passage of Huid through t e housing.

3. An apparatus of' the /character described ooinprising a lower housingadapted to be mounted over the mouth of .the well', an upper housingtelescopioally connected to the lower housing,l said upper housingbeing' capable of vertical reciprocation and y rotating movement, andnormally inedective packing' elements' carried lo housings, said packingeements being adaptedto be independently operated and .each capable offorming a fluid tight joint around a pipe or the like extending into"Asaid housing to prevent the passage of duid throu h the housing. i

4. apparatus of the character def1* scribed comprising a lower housingadapted H25 to be' mounted over the mouth-of the well, and upper housingtelesco ically connected upper -hous'in rotating movement, normal yineffective packing elements carriedv b .eachfaof the .f housings, saidpacking'- e ement's* being'f aan ne i

each ot the im All adapted tobe independently operated and each capableof forming a iiuid tightsjoint around a pipe or the like extending intosaid housing to prevent the passage of fluid through the housing, andoperatlng means for reciprocating the upper housing.

5. An apparatus of the` character described comprising a verticallyarranged lower housing adapted to be fixed over the mouth of a well, arotatable and vertically reciprocable upper housing arranged inlongitudinal alignment with said lower housing and telescopicallyconnected thereto, operating means for reciprocating said upper housing,a gate valve forming a sec-- tion of the upper housing, independentlyoperated means carried by each of the housings for connecting an elementextending into said housings to said housings, and normally ineffectivemeans carried by the 4housings capable of'forming a fluid-tight intosaid housings.

6. An apparatus of the character de-` extending through said housings tosaid housings, and normally ineective sealing 3oint around a pipe or thelike extending means in each housing capable of forming a fluid-tightjoint around a pipe or the like extending into said housings.

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a lower housingadapted to be fixed over the mouth of a well, an upper housing 'forminga continuation of the lower housing, said upper housing beingtelescopically connected to said loyver housing and capable of rotatingand reciprocating movement, a pair of operating cylinders connected tothe lower housing, plungers in said cylinders, said plungers beingoperatively connected to said upper housing for reciprocating the same,a gate valve in the upper housing capable of closing the passage throughthe same, clamping means carried by each housing for clamping a pipe vor the like extending through said housings to said housings, sealingmeans in each.

housing for forming. a fluid-tight joint around a pipe or the like,extending into said housings, to entirely prevent the passage of fluidthrough said housing.

8. In a device of the character described -a seal comprising an outercylindrical casing, a flexible sleeve fixed at its ends Within saidcasing, means for admitting fluid under pressure between. said flexiblesleeve and said casing to cause the sleeve to contract and grip anobject extendin through said easing, and a set of segmenta members plv Yotally mounted at each end of said casing, the members of each set beingadapted to cooperate to form a conical collar when said sleeve is(contracted, said conical collars beingl oppositely disposed.

Y ELVINE. TOWNSEND.

